Course Overview
Whether you’re preparing for your first role in childcare or looking to build on existing skills, this course will give you the confidence, knowledge, and practical experience to make a real difference. You’ll explore child development, learn how to keep children safe, celebrate diversity, and understand how to support families from all backgrounds, while discovering what makes working in the Early Years sector so rewarding.
You’ll develop hands-on skills through a work placement for two days a week, giving you valuable real-world experience in an early years setting. This practical approach helps you build confidence, apply your learning, and prepare for a career where you can support children’s wellbeing, encourage creativity, and help young learners thrive.
Entry Requirements:
4 x GCSEs at grade 3(D) or above, including Maths and English
Course Highlights
Course Units
• Roles and responsibilities of the Early Years Practitioner
• Health and safety of babies and young children in the early years
• Equality, diversity and inclusive practice in Early Years Settings
• Safeguarding, protection and welfare of babies and young children in Early Years Settings
• Understand how to support children’s development
• Support care routines for babies and young children
• Support the planning and delivery of activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes
• Promote play in an Early Years Setting
• Support well-being of babies and young children for healthy lifestyles
• Support babies and young children to be physically activities
• Support the needs of babies and young children with Special Educational Needs and Disability
• Promote positive behaviour in Early Years Settings
• Partnership working in the early years
• Support the needs of the child in preparing for school
Course Breakdown
Course Structure
This Level 2 qualification offers a dynamic, year-long learning experience that blends curiosity, creativity, and real-world practice. You will spend two days each week in a work placement, giving you hands-on opportunities to support children’s learning, build positive relationships, and develop the practical skills needed to work as an Early Years practitioner. Alongside this, you’ll learn and practise on campus in a purpose-built nursery classroom – a realistic training environment designed to help you grow in confidence and ability.
Teaching is varied and engaging, combining classroom learning with practical sessions, group work, presentations, and independent research. Assessment includes a mix of internal and external tasks such as coursework, essays, reports, case studies, and presentations, giving you a range of ways to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. Throughout the course, you’ll receive regular feedback and personalised support to help you progress, improve, and achieve your goals.
Progression & Next Steps
After completing the course, you can continue your journey by progressing onto the Level 3 T-Level in Education and Early Years, or step directly into employment in a nursery or childcare setting – confident, capable, and ready to make a difference.